Vermont Fresh Network + Localvore

New Partnership Boosts Marketing for Local Farms and Restaurants to the Conscious-Consumer Crowd

Burlington, VT – January 23, 2018 — Local food systems are getting a big promotion, thanks to a new partnership between Localvore and the Vermont Fresh Network (VFN). The two organizations share a vision in strengthening local food systems and helping consumers easily identify the outlets that support these systems. Beginning January this year, Localvore will cover dues for 2018 VFN membership to restaurants who enroll in the Localvore Enhanced Plan.

In addition to significant savings for qualified VFN restaurants when they join Localvore’s Enhanced Plan, the collaboration between the two community-minded organizations offers both restaurants and the supplying farms higher visibility and brand recognition in the marketplace. As more consumers seek out the farm-to-table experience, this co-branding and marketing venture will enable Localvore and VFN to grow a distinctly recognizable local food system network catering to both businesses and consumers.

“Vermont Fresh Network has been doing the incredibly important work of supporting local food systems since 1996! And now, together, Localvore and VFN are joining forces to enhance and accelerate the local food movement with purposeful and state-of-the-art technology to make it easier for conscious consumers to access the local experiences they crave,” said Dan White, CEO, Localvore. “This is a movement that exists because of leaders like the chefs, farmers, and people that have organized around VFN. Localvore exists to feed hungry minds and grow healthy communities, and we’re thrilled to partner with VFN in our pursuit of that mission. Food lovers unite on Localvore.co!”

When restaurants enroll in the Enhanced Plan, they will have access to all of the self-service features on the new Localvore platform including ‘Impact Offers’, which are customized, time-sensitive deals incorporating a donation to a community non-profit designated by the restaurants. Additionally, consumers can follow their favorite merchants and discover new ones, and be alerted to current or upcoming impact offers, specials and events.

"One of the best things about working in food in Vermont is the sense of community support that underlies what we do. It's reinforced by restaurants that thoughtfully source their food, customers that value that thoughtfulness, diners who seek out the locally owned restaurant, and the ways Vermont businesses contribute back to nonprofit and community organizations,” said Jed Davis, President of the Farmhouse Group. “Localvore is hitting on all of those points and the Farmhouse Group is excited to work with them, and the Vermont Fresh Network, to continue building a bright future for Vermont food businesses."

“Partnering with Localvore is a great way to help members share their good work in food - in particular, we embrace the opportunity to be part of homegrown innovation and forward thinking technology to serve our members’ needs,” says Helen Labun, Executive Director of the Vermont Fresh Network, “A strong food system is strong in every point of that system, including the avenues for farmers and restaurants to connect with consumers and their larger community - we share Localvore’s commitment to that work.”

Founded in 2012 by co-founders Dan White, Michael Nedell and Meg Randall, Localvore, Inc. is backed by the Flexible Capital Fund as well as impact investors supporting purposeful technology. Localvore helps people discover what’s happening in local communities, with a focus on restaurants and producers who are sourcing locally, creating great food, and supporting their communities. Localvore is based in Burlington, Vermont. For more information, please visit us at localvore.co. For media inquiries, contact press@localvore.co.

About Vermont Fresh Network

The Vermont Fresh Network builds relationships between farmers and chefs to create a flourishing local food economy. VFN advocates for transparency in the food system. We verify our members' local food purchasing claims and we help more purchases happen. We celebrate innovative collaborations between farmers and culinary professionals. We support new ways for chefs to positively influence our food system. Since 1996, we have worked to ensure that the farmer-chef connection is a strong part of agricultural development and that consumers can support this work by where they choose to dine.